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Adventures in Drinking: Drinking Around the World – Norway Pavilion

Next stop on our Drinking Around the World adventure is the Norway Pavilion.

If you follow along on Twitter, you probably noticed that in recent weeks I’ve been wondering what happened to the beer cart in Norway. Well, it appears the cart has returned! This is good news, as it makes acquiring your Norway drink a bit easier. So let’s take a look at the options in Norway.

You have the Akershus Restaurant, where you’ll be paying a premium to dine with the princesses. You have the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, which often has a line out the door and a limited selection. And you have the beer cart, where you’ll find some wine, Linie Aquavit, and beer.

We should talk about that beer.

The beer served at the Norway Pavilion isn’t actually Norwegian. They used to sell a Norwegian beer a number of years back, Ringnes. But now they serve Carlsberg, which is a Danish beer. I do not know why this change was made, and Ringnes wasn’t the greatest beer in the world, but at least it was from Norway. They also have Bud Light. ( Pretty sure that’s not Norwegian either.)

So what is one to do at the Norway Pavilion? Well, if you’d like to dine at Akershus, you’ll have a lot more options as evidenced by their menu, which includes several Norway “inspired” cocktails, as well as several wines, although, like the beer, none of those appear to be Norwegian. However, I suspect most of you are going to have to choose from the slim pickings available outside of the restaurant.

For the Linie Aquavit uninitiated, here’s a quick description:

Linie is a potato based spirit distilled with multiple botanicals somewhat like gin. Carraway is the most important flavor in aquavit, but Linie also uses dill, anise seed, sweet fennel and coriander.

Short version: It’s not for everyone. Also, these responses to our question on Facebook “Yay or Nay to Aquavit?” might be best taken under consideration as well:

“Liquid Fire!”

“Nay to the shot. Unless you need to strip paint off some old furniture.”

However, I can say for just about every person I’ve encountered who has an “Are you crazy?” response to the Aquavit question, there has been an “Oh, that stuff is awesome!” So, there you go.

Final thoughts:

The Authentic Choice: Linie Aquavit Glacier Shot.

The Hard Alcohol Choice: Linie Aquavit Glacier Shot (If you do go to Akershus, perhaps one of those “Norwegian” cocktails should be taken under consideration.)

The Beer Choice: Carlsberg.

The Lightweight’s Choice: Just go on preference.

Our Choice: Linie Aquavit Glacier Shot. (It’s over quickly.)

Side note: I believe they still serve “Viking Coffee” at the bakery, which is coffee, Kamora Coffee Liqueur, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. I don’t drink coffee, so I don’t have an opinion on it, but it’s an option for those of you who do.

2 thoughts on “Adventures in Drinking: Drinking Around the World – Norway Pavilion”

I’m a big fan of the Aquavit! I can see that it could be an acquired taste – the flavour rather like drinking vodka and eating a piece of rye bread at the same time (that would be the caraway seeds). Served very cold and definitely unlike anything else in the park, it’s a very unique offering! It’s available inside the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe as well as at the Cart outdoors (much less of a line at the cart than in the bakery, typically).

I think it’s one of those things that you never know until you try it, which is why it’s my choice. Well that, and it’s the only authentic offering in the pavilion now. Even if you don’t like it though, it’s a shot so it’s quick. :)